The holiday season is in full swing here. It’s hard to not get infected with some of that “spirit”, not that that makes any difference I suppose. I just continue to do my thing and try not to look back. Except when I come here to update my faithful readers. So here you go:

I returned to the bar on Thursday night and as I mentioned in an earlier post Marissa was otherwise occupied doing her drinking with customers gig. Well, my raffle prize was described as “groceries” which I certainly don’t need. So I gave them to Ester, a bargirl with kids at home who I know struggles to make ends meet. She was of course overjoyed. And I then left the bar without saying anything to Marissa who was still busy with her customer.

I didn’t hear from Marissa the next morning as usual, so that afternoon I sent her a “what’s up?” message. What was up was that she was very angry which came as a total surprise to me. It seems I had “insulted” her by giving my raffle prize to Ester instead of her. I asked how does my gifting my gift away insult you? It seems that the other girls, including Ester, were laughing at Marissa because her “boyfriend” had given the gift to someone other than her. I know that makes no sense at all, but I wasn’t there so I can’t say what really happened. What I couldn’t understand was why it was my fault that Marissa felt insulted by her co-workers. Marissa acknowledged that Ester could use the groceries more than her and she didn’t have a problem with my giving them away, but she was angry at having been insulted. I reiterated that it was not my intent for her to feel insulted to no avail. I just cannot fathom the Filipina logic of holding me responsible for the actions of her co-workers.

Anyway, we had plans to go to the SOB dance contest at Alaska Club with Justin and Cherry. I asked if she still wanted to attend and she replied that her and Cherry would meet us there. It was a little strained at first, but we both decided to just chill and enjoy the show.

At the conclusion of the SOB we moved over to Lollipop bar for the “Aftermath” party. More beers were drunk and then Marissa got pissy again and I’d had enough. I lit into her and we took it outside where I screamed some more. Poor Cherry was trying to act as intermediary to little effect. Marissa and I both eventually calmed down and she finally accepted that I was not the one who insulted her, although my well-intentioned actions were inadvertently the cause of her being insulted. We all then moved into the Man Cave bar for more beers.

Anyway, as an epilogue to the gift drama I did send Ester a message telling her how upset Marissa was. She was aghast and told me she would return the gift. I told her no, it was hers to keep and no one had a problem with that. It was mocking Marissa about it that had caused the issue. She vehemently denied having insulted or mocked Marissa. Again, I was not there so I can’t say. It did seem out of character though because Ester is always very sweet. So I guess that subsequently her and Marissa chatted and worked things out. Everything seemed back to normal in Alley Cats bar last night at least.

So, about last night–it was the Alley Cats Christmas party/dart tournament.

Played like shit in the tourney and my partner played worse, so we didn’t make it to the money round. Ah well, there was plenty of cold beer to occupy my time with.

When the tourney was completed, there was a gift exchange. I was pretty impressed by how generous the bar was with the staff. Marissa got 500 pesos even as a part time employee.

I also enjoyed playing Santa Claus.

It was a good night and a good time. And lest you think that all I do is drink copious amounts of beer…

It is starting to feel like I am finally home.